A total of 15 theatres in Kerala have been selected for platinum grade,for best projection,sound system,seating and maintenance in the report of theatre classification committees appointed by the government. The classification committees in three regions examined the facilities at 399 theatres. The government would take steps to help promote these theatres,Cinema Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said after receiving the report.

The theatres examined by the committees have been given different grades. A total of 29 theatres were placed in second grade,81 theatres were put in the third grade,127 in fourth grade and 86 in the fifth grade. Anand Cinema at Kottayam was chosen as the best theatre in the state.

Cinema ticketing machines would be introduced in all theatres by March,which would check tax evasion by some theatres,Kumar said. He added the government was prepared to implement the recommendations of the committees.

Public health officials should check the theatres at least once a week,the report by the committees said. Kumar said film releases would not be permitted at theatres that were badly maintained. Action would be taken against 77 theatres that did not allow the committee to examine their facilities,the minister said.